Do you think about car races as a primarily MAGA thing? We do, too. The days of liberal Democratic dreamboat Paul Newman racing in the Sports Car Club of America are, we fear, long, long gone. But we're here to tell you that racing doesn't totally belong to the right wing. This weekend, we clear-thinking Americans are coming forth to claim it.
After all, there are all kinds of heroes — not just those of the MAGA brand. There are heroes who battle everyday adversity in American life and come out on the other side. Folks who decide that their personal challenges can stand in for everyone else's. And people who — as we remember this Memorial Day weekend — gave their lives in service to others, including to their country.
One of those is Michael Kempel, whose name is on Ally car #48. It will be driven by Alex Bowman, in NASCAR's Coca-Cola 600 race tomorrow.
We love this! Here is Michael's story:
"Petty Officer Michael Richard Kempel (Navy Third Battalion, First Marine Division), serving with Company Mike 3/5 in Quang Nam Province, Vietnam, showed extraordinary courage when his platoon unknowingly entered an enemy minefield.
"After a mine exploded, critically wounding the point Marine and several others, Kempel, disregarding his own safety, moved to assist the injured, despite knowing more mines were present.
"As he neared the wounded, Kempel stepped on another mine, suffering critical injuries. Despite this, he crawled to the point Marine, attempting to provide aid until he succumbed to his wounds.
"His heroic actions, skill, and dedication earned him the Silver Star, awarded by the President of the United States for his gallantry and intrepidity in the face of danger on August 27, 1970."
Would we have been capable of Michael Kempel's particular brand of bravery? We doubt it. We cats salute him and his family this weekend, and root for Car 48 to win the Coca-Cola 600! And we PURR.
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